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Chile 1-2 Spain

OK, so Brazil and Portugal clearly didn't get the memo. Would someone mind slipping a note under the door of the Group H teams and let them know? 'This World Cup got really blooming good. Ages ago.' Thanks.

17:42Commentary

Yes, for all our high hopes and wild expectations, Portugal-Brazil proved about as entertaining as a bumper Christmas special of "Watching Paint Dry, The Winter Years", while North Korea's desperation not to ship a hatful against Ivory Coast ensured that was similarly bereft of interest, chances, incident, passion... etc However, they don't call or me Sammy Scorefest for nothing (or indeed at all) people. Tonight's matches will more than make up for it and get your weekends started in a fashion suitable to these warm, summer evenings. Promise.

17:44Commentary

A quick addition to that last entry.1. That wasn't actually a promise. Even in my lofty position as a BBC text commentator I don't have control over proceedings in South Africa. Sorry.2. "Watching Paint Dry, The Winter Years" doesn't actually exist. Again, sorry.

17:48Commentary

Anyway... I'm Sam Lyon and I'm here to chat you through the evening for the last of this World Cup's group matches - Chile v Spain and Switzerland v Honduras. I would absolutely love it (love it) if you all got involved, though, so feel free to text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), Tweet me @sampatricklyon or join in on 606. I know you want to.

Twitter

From RiverLucky: "I just hope the final isn't Brazil and Portugal. It would be a stinker."

SMS

From Anon: "Finishing second may have been the best result for Portugal. I quite fancy Chile holding Spain tonight."

17:55Commentary

So after the phoney war of Portugal-Brazil and the mere minor skirmish of North Korea-Ivory Coast, we're expecting Chile, Spain, Switzerland and Honduras to hit the battlefront hard this evening. Mainly because it is literally all to play for in Group H - even, believe it or not, for Honduras. Any two of four can still qualify for the last 16, joining Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, the United States, England, Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Japan, Paraguay, Slovakia, Brazil and Portugal. And in a moment, I'll tell you how.

SMS

From M. Vishnumoorthi: "Quite a few of the 'great' teams have failed to provide much thrill & excitement in this World Cup."

18:03Commentary

Right, keep up folks, this is a little complicated. The Group G permutations are thus: If Spain beat Chile, they go through. If the Spaniards lose, they will go out if Switzerland draw with Honduras, or if they lose to Chile heavily. Spain are also out if they draw and Switzerland beat Honduras. Chile need only avoid defeat to go through. If Chile lose to Spain by a single goal, Switzerland will only qualify if they beat Honduras by at least two goals, having lost to the Chileans in their group game. Honduras can only qualify if they win by at least two goals and Chile beat Spain by at least two goals. Erm, got that? Good.

18:05Commentary

In short - Spain, Switzerland and Honduras should all be looking to win, with Chile the only team 'happy' in theory to settle for a draw. And Chile - the nation of the 3-3-1-3 formation - are one of this World Cup's great entertainers so far. Exactly. Aint gonna happen. Goalfest.

From Ben_ChileWines: "Work in a Chilean winery - I reckon we'll have to open all the barrels if Chile win!!! And win they can!! Vamos!"

18:21Commentary

And there's more from Prime Minister David Cameron: "Do you expect me to put my shirt on my head and run round the table a few times (if England win)? Probably not… I think it will have to be a very civilised occasion." I guess the same goes for you lot, right? While we're on the subject, our chief football writer Phil McNulty writes: "The mobility of Rooney and the speed of Defoe will give England major hopes of doing damage." Oh dear. Is this what optimism feels like?

SMS

From Louisa from Clapham: "I know we've been disappointed by so many teams so far in this World Cup but surely - SURELY - tonight's teams will live up to the billing and score about 7 or 8 between them."I believe Louisa, I believe!

Twitter

From siddharth248: "The best final we could hope for would be Spain v Argentina. So we want Spain has to come second in Group H and then beat Brazil. Then its good."

Right, let's tear our minds away from England v Germany, and focus on tonight's crackerjack fixtures yeah? In case you're not very good at assessing wallcharts or you've failed to take advantage of our rather magical tracker/predictor thingymajig, a reminder that the winner of Group H faces Portugal in the last 16, with the runner-up handed the prospect of a clash with Brazil. It's like a rock and a hard place in many ways isn't it?

SMS

From Omar in London. "Fabregas better get used to warming that Spanish bench seeing as that's all he will be doing at Barcelona."

Twitter

From Thorney88: "Finding it hard to imagine Spain not going through, yet Chile have been impressive to date. I'm confused..."

18:49CommentaryChile v Spain team news

So big news for Spain: fit-again Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta returns in place of Jesus Navas. No other changes from the team which beat Honduras, meaning strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa both play. After his winning goal from the bench against Switzerland, former Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez leads the Chile attack instead of Humberto Suazo, while Jorge Valdivia and Marco Estrada fill in for the suspended Matias Fernandez and Carlos Carmona in midfield.

SMS

From Richard: "It would be a disaster for this World Cup if Spain are knocked out tonight, but i dont think that will happen..."

18:57CommentarySwitz'land v Honduras team news

Switzerland captain Alex Frei is dropped for their vital Group H clash with Honduras. Eren Derdiyok gets the nod up front with playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta replacing the suspended Valon Behrami. Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda makes six changes to his team from the 2-0 loss to Spain, with striker Jerry Palacios joining his brother Wilson in the side. Prolific striker Carlos Pavon, however, is still on the bench.

19:00Commentary

Meanwhile, if there were a World Cup for unearthing stats, surely our friends at Infostrada Sports would be contenders. They tell us that on this day in 1986, the debut of France's Daniel Xuereb in the semi-final against West Germany meant that - finally - all 26 letters of the alphabet had been used in player names at the tournament, 56 years since the first World Cup in 1930. Boom.

SMS

From Nathan: "I think the best result for football is if Chile and Spain go through. Come on Honduras then!"

19:08Commentary

I can't compete with the stats gold provided by Infostrada Sports - who could? - so instead, as always, I'll pinch a few more of theirs and pass them off as my own. Good? Good. The omens aren't great for Chile tonight - they've met Spain seven times and have lost six and drawn only once. Spain have outscored them 18-3 in those matches, and as Chile aim to top a World Cup group for the first time they are also looking to make it five South American teams in the last 16 for the first time. Still, no South American team has either lost or trailed in any match of this World Cup - so maybe all is not lost for Chile. Stat-wise.

From Alan, Woking: "I can see Spain scoring a fair few tonight, what with Chile's inability to say no to attack."

19:17Commentary

I'm armed with Switzerland-Honduras stat chat too, by the way. Not that I've received one text or tweet about either team since I started commentating. Anyway, I'm told Switzerland, having broken the World Cup record for most minutes without conceding a goal against Chile last time out, are looking for only their second win in eight matches. Honduras, who have never played Switzerland, have never won at the World Cup and are the only team without points or goals at this World Cup. Ignominy beckons.

From Ian: "Spain will go out tonight. You heard it hear first."Errrmm...

Twitter

From prabudha: "We need more European teams in the World Cup second round. It has to be Spain & Switzerland tonight."

19:25Commentary

The teams are out at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria and the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontain and the anthems are rocking out the masses. By the way, Spain will be wearing their blue and white strip tonight, as opposed to their traditional red. Both they and Chile are named "La Roja" for a reason - and Chile are the 'home' team here tonight.

SMS

From Martin, Bristol: "Who said it'll be a tragedy to lose Spain at this stage? This is the World Cup! Why even have the so called lesser nations involved if only to see the so called big guns progress?"

19:30KICK-OFFChile v Spain

Here we go folks, you ready?

19:30KICK-OFFSwitzerland v Honduras

We're under way in Bloemfontain as well.

19:33CommentaryChile v Spain

Both teams looking to get on the ball early in Pretoria, and both teams equally keen to snap at the heels of their opponents. It's already fast and frantic.

19:34CommentaryChile v Spain

First chance to Spain - Xavi's floated free-kick finds Fernando Torres dashing in behind the Chile defence, but the Liverpool frontman's header on the stretch is off-target.

19:35CommentaryChile v Spain

Make that two chances in a minute for Spain - and for Fernando Torres - as the Chilean defence is forced to scramble with the frontman sniffing around a long ball over the top from Gerard Pique. Torres already looking a threat.

19:37CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

As you might expect, the match in Bloemfontain is being played at a rather slower pace - but Switzerland are definitely enjoying the better possession. Remember, if Switzerland beat Honduras by a couple of goals, Chile-Spain effectively becomes a play-off for a place in the second round.

19:39CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

Ramon Nunez breaks down the Swiss left as Honduras look to force forward, but his cross is well cut out in the middle by Stephan Lichtsteiner.

19:40CommentaryChile v Spain

Jean Beausejour is free down the right - moments after finding himself in a similar position on the left - and his cross looks to be begging to be drilled in, but it is just behind Mark Gonzalez and the former Liverpool man can only send his volley over.

19:41CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

The first real chance in Bloemfontein - and it goes Switzerland’s way. Tranquillo Barnetta slips a pass to Gokhan Inler, who drags his left-footed strike wide from the edge of the box.

19:44CommentaryChile v Spain

I tell you what, Chile are buzzing after that early Spain pressure. Alexis Sanchez tries his luck with a lobbed effort from the edge of the area and Spain keeper Iker Casillas is forced to palm it behind above his head. The corner comes to nothing.

19:45YELLOW CARDChile v Spain

Gary Medel goes in studs-up on Sergio Busquets and he goes into the book - that's him out of the last 16 should Chile get there.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Danny MillsChile v Spain

"I think Spain are nervous. They're under pressure and have given the ball away a lot. Chile are the better side."

19:48OFFSIDESwitzerland v Honduras

Moments after Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas goes within inches of setting striker Ramon Nunez through, Tranquillo Barnetta's fine cross finds Eren Derdiyok at the far post, only for the frontman to head wide on the dive. Luckily for the Swiss man, it was offside anyway.

19:49YELLOW CARDChile v Spain

Deary me, the Chileans are going to need a reshuffle in their next match should they go through. Waldo Ponce is the next man to be ruled out of any last-16 tie as he is booked for a petulant kick out at Fernando Torres. Silly.

19:51YELLOW CARDChile v Spain

Make that three Chileans in the book - Marco Estrada is booked for another silly challenge. Luckily for him, that's his first of the tournament. Chile well on top here, but the flip side of that is a rather cynical vein running through the side.

19:53CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

Switzerland have settled down in Bloemfontain, now, and while clear-cut chances are hardly flowing, it's nice and open in their match against Honduras.

19:54GOALChile 0-1 Spain

Calamity and quality in equal measue. Chile keeper Claudio Bravo comes way out of his goal to clear a Spain ball over the top with Fernando Torres threatening - but it goes only as far as David Villa who, easily 45 yards out and by the left touchline, curls it first time left-footed into the empty net on the run. Brilliant.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Danny MillsChile v Spain

"The keeper - what was he doing? If you come off your line like that you have got to kick the ball into the stands! And Chile were on top."

19:57CommentaryChile v Spain

Chile could - and arguably should - be down to 10 men as Marco Estrada goes through the back of Andres Iniesta, but he avoids a second yellow card. David Villa, meanwhile, is now Spain's leading World Cup goalscorer with six - it came against the run of play, but will that settle the Spanish down?

20:02CommentaryChile v Spain

Good response, this, from Chile - and Spain are being forced to play on the counter-attack here. If they can keep their temperaments in check they undoubtedly have the game to trouble the Spanish.

20:03YELLOW CARDSwitzerland v Honduras

Switzerland midfielder Gelson Fernandes is booked for a foul on Wilson Palacios.

20:04CommentaryChile v Spain

Big chance for Chile. Jean Beausejour is sent clear of the Spain defence on the left and he charges into the box, but Gerard Pique gets back brilliantly to deflect the Chilean striker's effort wide.

20:06GOALChile 0-2 Spain

Out of nothing. Andres Iniesta marks his return from injury with a big, big goal -running on to David Villa's cut-back and side-footing a delicious finish into the corner.

20:07RED CARDChile v Spain

Chile's night is going from bad to worse here - Marco Estrada, fortunate to escape a second booking just minutes ago - is sent off, this time for a clip of Fernando Torres's heels in the build-up to Spain's second goal. Looked accidental to me, but Chile now have an absolute mountain to climb.

From Twitter: "The ref for this game is an evangelical priest - he asked the Mexican media to stop calling him Dracula."

20:12CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

It's very tight in Bloemfontein and you can see exactly why Switzerland and Honduras have scored just one goal between them so far at this competition. The Swiss look slightly more polished but are yet to create anything clearcut.

CommentaryGROUP H - AS IT STANDS

The way things stand, Spain will finish top, with Chile also qualifying as runners-up. And that would mean a couple of tasty last-16 knockout local World Cup derby dramas at the start of next week. Check this - we'll get Brazil v Chile on Monday 28 June at 1930 BST, and Spain v Portugal 24 hours later. But it could all change...

20:15CommentaryChile v Spain

That Andres Iniesta goal, by the way, was the 100th of this World Cup our friends at Infostrada Sports inform us.

20:17HALF-TIMESwitzerland v Honduras

That's the half-time whistle, and Switzerland - as it stands - are going out. They're not having it all their own way by any stretch, either.

20:19HALF-TIMEChile v Spain

That's the break - and Chile, as well as being two goals down, could well have been reduced to nine men as Waldo Ponce, just before half-time and already on a booking, gets away with a horrid tackle on Xabi Alonso. Marcelo Bielsa has work to do.

From Twitter: "After winning their first two games, Chile could be on their way out with what is becoming the first loss for a South American team at this World Cup."

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Danny MillsChile v Spain

"Chile started so brightly and Spain were out of this game completely. Then we had a moment of madness from the Chile keeper and a moment of genius from Iniesta. The two goals and the sending-off have changed everything now."

Twitter

From talkthomas: "Two GREAT goals from Spain but that was a dreadful dive by Torres for the sending-off. A very harsh decision for Chile."I don't think it was a dive mate, there was contact, but not sure why Torres was writhing about on the floor after...?

SMS

From Tim, Witney: "If Paul Scholes were a team, he'd be Chile; Great going forward, hopeless in the tackle."

20:31SUBSTITUTIONSwitzerland v Honduras

We're back under way in Bloemfontain and Switzerland - who have to score or they are out of this World Cup - replace Gelson Fernandes with the more attack-minded Hakan Yakin.

20:33SUBSTITUTIONChile v Spain

Changes, too, in Pretoria and - unsurprisingly - it's by the Chileans, Esteban Paredes and Rodrigo Millar coming on for Jorge Valdivia and Mark Gonzalez. We're back started.

CommentaryGROUP H - AS IT STANDS

Continent fans might be interested in Infostrada's chat that If these scorelines persist, only six European nations would qualify for the last 16, an all-time low. As it stands though, one goal for Switzerland would see them replace Chile in the last 16, boosting that to seven.

20:35GOALChile 1-2 Spain

Immediate impact from the substitute. Rodrigo Millar, with practically his first touch, collects on the edge of the area and - via a rather healthy deflection off Gerard Pique - curls into the corner to half Chile's deficit. Game on?

CommentaryGROUP H - AS IT STANDS

So, that goal's not changed much in terms of Group H qualification. It's still Spain as winners and Chile in second. It's bad news for Switzerland though, who currently need to score twice against Honduras to pip the Chileans to second place.

20:38CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

Switzerland are temporarily down to 10 men, with Stephane Grichting receiving lengthy treatment after a clash of heads with Jerry Palacios.

20:39CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

Best chance of the night in Bloemfontain and it should be 1-0 to Honduras as Edgar Alvarez's brilliant cross falls right on the head of David Suazo, only for the striker to head wide six yards out and completely unmarked.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Danny MillsChile v Spain

"It's been all Chile. I hope they do go through, because they're better to watch than Switzerland. Spain though have got that extra man in midfield and Chile have to tire - they cannot keep this relentless pace up."

20:42SUBSTITUTIONChile v Spain

He's not looked right all night, and that's your lot from Fernando Torres. Cesc Fabregas is his replacement, which I'd wager will mean David Villa is restored to a more central role up front.

20:44YELLOW CARDSwitzerland v Honduras

Honduras striker David Suazo is booked for a clumsy foul on Swiss defender Stephane Grichting.

From Twitter: "Possession is all Spain now - Chile seem happy to wait for a counter (with an eye on Switzerland v Honduras)"

20:56SUBSTITUTIONSwitzerland v Honduras

The time has come for Switzerland's record goal scorer Alexander Frei (40 goals in 73 matches) to come on for Blaise Nkufo. Can the veteran make himself a hero once more?

20:58CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

Swiss keeper Diego Benaglio has just kept his side in the World Cup. For now. Edgar Alvarez is fed on the edge of the box and the Honduran forward's curled effort looks to be heading in to the top corner before Benaglio swings out an arm and tips it over. Great save.

21:01SUBSTITUTIONChile v Spain

Xabi Alonso - have a rest. Javier Martinez is brought on for the Spanish quarter-back.

21:03CommentarySwitzerland v Honduras

Honduras threaten again and only a fine last-ditch tackle from Reto Ziegler prevents David Suazo from getting off a shot inside the area. Switzerland running out of time.

21:04SUBSTITUTIONSwitzerland v Honduras

A change apiece as the match enters the final 15 minutes, Benjamin Huggel replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri for the Swiss, Georgie Welcome on for Jerry Palacios for Honduras.

CommentaryGROUP H - AS IT STANDS

So, with around 15 minutes to go, Spain and Chile (in that order) are your Group H qualifiers. But it's not done and dusted yet. If Switzerland can grab two goals against Honduras - or even one, should Spain bag another - then Ottmar Hitzfeld's men will be going through to meet Brazil in the last 16.

Spain well in control against the 10 men of Chile, now, with Marcelo Bielsa's side tip-toeing the qualifying line praying against a two-goal swing in favour of the Swiss. If it stays this way, we're looking at Spain-Portugal and Chile-Brazil in the second round don't forget. *Dribble*

Twitter

From tomgoldspink: "You just feel there are more goals in this Chile-Spain game. It never ceases to amaze the Spanish talent."

21:11OFFSIDESwitzerland v Honduras

So so close for Honduras, as Edgar Alvarez's square pass is tapped in by Georgie Welcome - only for the linesman's flag to be raised for offside. Correct decision.

21:13SUBSTITUTIONSwitzerland v Honduras

David Suazo is off, Danilo Turcios is on. Can Honduras force their first ever World Cup win from here? They'll do it on the counter-attack, if so, with Switzerland pushing men forward now.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Danny MillsChile v Spain

"In all their games so far, Chile have actually been organised defensively and difficult to play against."

21:15CommentaryChile v Spain

It's all about Switzerland-Honduras, now, you feel - Spain and Chile have reached agreement in Pretoria that they're quite happy with things as they stand by the look of things.

21:16INJURY TIMESwitzerland v Honduras

Four minutes of injury time in Bloemfontain for Switzerland to grab two goals. Tough.

21:18INJURY TIMEChile v Spain

Two minutes of added time. Two minutes of keep ball from Spain, I'm sure.

21:20FULL-TIMESwitzerland v Honduras

That's it, all over. The Swiss sink to their knees - they are out of the World Cup, their failure to beat Honduras costing them a place in the last 16 regardless of any late goal in the Chile-Spain match.

21:20FULL-TIMEChile v Spain

Almost simultaneously the final whistle goes in Pretoria - and that is very much job done by Spain and Chile. Vicente Del Bosque's Spain side go on to face Portugal on Tuesday in the last 16, the day after Marcelo Bielsa's Chile go up against Brazil. What a couple of crackers they look.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's Danny MillsChile v Spain

“Chile deserve to be through. They are very positive, have a great attitude, and have some good players. They will give Brazil a very tough game.”

Twitter

From Rich_Pullen: "Spain are the probably the hope of the continent... This is a South American tournament."

21:30Commentary

You have to say, purely from an entertainers point of view, the right two teams have come through Group H then, right? Both Spain and, in particular, Chile face tough last-16 matches, but in spells tonight both showed what they are capable of with the ball given the right mood. Switzerland? They have the comfort of a shock win over Spain to take home but a lack of ambition cost them dear and Honduras, well they were always likely to struggle I guess.

Twitter

From sloverlord: "Without regards to who's playing better, it's the dark horses - United States, Japan - who've had the more exciting matches."

Twitter

From InfostradaLive: "101 goals marks the fewest in the World Cup group phase since the competition was expanded to 32 teams."

21:40Commentary

So, we say goodbye to 16 teams then, and that - ladies and gentlemen - is the group stages done and dusted. Our qualifiers? Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, the United States, England, Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Japan, Paraguay, Slovakia, Brazil, Portugal, Spain and Chile - one of those will DEFINITELY win this World Cup. Trust me. Where's ya money?

21:45Commentary

Fear not, though, folks, for there is absolutely no let-up in the action as we jump straight out of the frying pan of the group stages tonight to the fire of the knockouts tomorrow. Bosh. Uruguay-South Korea kick us off on Saturday, with United States v Ghana the late game. Jonathan Stevenson will kick the chat off tomorrow, so don't let him or yourself down. Be there.

By Chris Whyatt

Spain's unquestionable class was just enough to edge them past a talented but ill-disciplined Chile team who deservedly joined the European champions in qualifying for the World Cup's knockout stages.

Vicente del Bosque's side have still not clicked in South Africa - and the South Americans put them under real pressure before being controversially reduced to 10 men just before half-time in Pretoria.

But flashes of individual brilliance from striker David Villa and fit-again midfielder Andres Iniesta sealed a last-16 clash against Portugal on Tuesday as they ran out Group H winners despite a shock defeat to Switzerland in their opening match.

Chile, who picked up seven red cards in qualifying, must face five-time winners Brazil on Monday without their strongest team after three key players were lost to suspension in a first half they threatened to take charge of with admirable invention before losing their heads.

After dominating possession but failing to score in that surprise 1-0 loss to the Swiss, Spain vowed they would not sacrifice their rich attacking instincts for a win-at-all costs philosophy.

Needing three points to guarantee progression, they started this match on the front foot - but Fernando Torres spurned two half-chances and the Liverpool striker clearly looks like a man still feeling his way back after injury.

Yet the European champions were soon being cut open as Chile, whom some observers consider to be a South American version of Spain, attacked them with short incisive passes and constant movement off the ball in support of their team-mates.

Coached by Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, they could have taken a 10th-minute lead after a brilliant move saw Jean Beausejour - a winger who plays for Club America in the Mexico - execute a clever one-two with Jorge Valdivia, but Mark Gonzalez failed to connect properly with his low cross.

In a rare struggle to monopolise the ball, Spain looked riled - but while Chile worked overtime to establish the upper hand they lost their discipline - both Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce were rightly booked for nasty tackles and will miss the match against Brazil.

Firmly against the run of play, Spain's first goal came fortuitously.

Gerard Pique over-hit a long pass out of defence - which the out-of-sorts Torres was never likely to reach - but Chile goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo foolishly raced out of his penalty area to clear unsuccessfully into the path of Villa.

Lurking near the left touchline as the ball squirmed towards him, Barcelona's new £35m signing Villa instantly guided it over Bravo into the net - with his weaker left foot - from all of 40 yards.

Undaunted, the ever-threatening Beausejour raced away from Spain's back-line as he nearly created a dangerous one-on-one with keeper Iker Casillas - but Pique sped back to make a crucial block.

Clever Iniesta, who has struggled for fitness in the past three months, then gave Spain what looked like some breathing space with a typically classy second goal, executing snappy give-and-go exchanges with first Torres and then Villa before coolly guiding the ball into Bravo's far corner with breathtaking simplicity.

The biggest flashpoint moment of the match occurred in the build-up to that goal, as Torres went down following his pass after what looked like an accidental trip from behind by Marco Estrada.

Referee Marco Rodriguez obviously saw the incident differently as he gave Estrada a second yellow card.

Only when Chile were down to 10 men did Iniesta and Xavi start dictating the flow of the match with the cute passing triangles they execute for Barcelona week-in week-out.

Recognising this, Bielsa made two changes at half-time - and three minutes after the interval substitute Rodrigo Millar, who had replaced Gonzalez, put the South Americans firmly back in to the match.

Finding space for himself among a posse of defenders outside the box, his snapshot took a wicked deflection off Pique to loop high past a flailing Casillas.

Chile now needed just one more goal to put themselves back in the frame to finish top, but Spain had just enough about them to take advantage of the extra man.

With Torres clearly struggling, on came Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas in his place as Del Bosque tweaked his side's formation to leave Villa - who now has three goals from this tournament - at the spearhead of their attack.

Although he thrived off the responsibility and set about terrorising the manful Chile defence with real adventure and wit, clear chances were at a premium as the match became more squeezed with both teams eyeing greater challenges ahead; namely a place in the quarter-finals.

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